Our latest generation 18-in, 8-out USB interface is ideal for multi-instrumentalists, producers and small bands who want to record audio from a wide range of sources such as drums, guitars, keyboards and vocals. It's our most comprehensive desktop interface, giving you four mic preamps, round-trip latency as low as 2.74ms*, class-leading sound quality, and two separate headphone outputs, so you can give different monitoring settings to two artists, or an engineer and artist. It's also expandable over ADAT.

Focusrite interfaces are perfect partners for Pro Tools, so Scarlett 18i8 comes with Pro Tools | First Focusrite Creative Pack, as well as Ableton Live Lite recording software and a suite of software and samples, so you can start recording straight away. Scarlett 18i8 works flawlessly with all major DAWs on Mac and PC, and we continue to work with Avid to ensure it is compatible with every update to Pro Tools.

What is latency?

Scarlett 2nd Generation interfaces have lower latency than any other USB audio interfaces. Take a look at this short video to see for yourself how latency can cause problems when recording, and find out what you can do to overcome it.

Delimit Your Studio

Don’t be limited by your interface’s connectivity. 18 separate inputs let you connect just about anything you want, and leave your instruments permanently set up and ready to record.

The four combination inputs on the front each have a natural-sounding Scarlett mic preamp, 48V phantom power and superior linear gain. Backed by 30 years of design experience, they guarantee low noise, minimal distortion and a dynamic range that is unrivalled in this class.

On the back are four more line inputs for connecting your synths, keyboards or mixers, and two additional S/PDIF inputs for recording digital sources. For even more inputs, connect an eight-channel mic pre like the Scarlett OctoPre, for a total of 16 analogue inputs with 12 preamps.

Separate Headphones

As well as two balanced analogue line outputs for connecting professional speakers, Scarlett 18i8 gives you two independent stereo headphone outputs, so you can give two artists (or an engineer and artist) their own cans and monitoring settings.

Powerful headphone output

We recognise that many Scarlett owners don't have the ability to mix at loud levels late at night, and instead rely on headphones - as well as using headphones to hear all the detail in the mix. So we've given the headphone outputs in the next-generation Scarlett range plenty of power so they'll drive high-quality headphones with more than enough volume - while delivering high-quality sound so you can hear what's really going down.

Revolutionise Your Workflow

An unrivalled round-trip latency as low as 2.74ms* completely revolutionises your workflow. You can work entirely inside your DAW for both overdubbing and playback, and use your favourite plugins while recording – whether it’s reverb on a vocal, a guitar amp simulator, or even virtual instruments live on stage. You’ll also get the best out of vocal performances, by applying real-time comfort reverb to headphones.

Super-low latency for simpler, more effective recording

Latency is the time it takes for a signal to get through a digital system. Most commonly, the kind of latency you're going to be most concerned about is "round-trip latency". This is the time it takes for a signal to go into your interface, from there to the computer and through your DAW software, then back out to monitor through the interface again.

Traditionally, round-trip latency has been so long that it has been impossible to monitor overdubs, for example, through the DAW - the delay is long enough to be musically off-putting. As a result, you've had to use so-called "zero-latency monitoring" (that's simply listening to the input, not through the DAW). But that means you can't use your DAW plug-ins - you've either needed special outboard DSP, with its own plug-ins, or go without.

Now, thanks to innovative driver and conversion design, Scarlett offers you round-trip latency as low as 2.74ms*. Suddenly you can work entirely within your DAW for both overdubs and playback, using your favourite plug-ins and virtual instruments, and listen to them as you record. You don't need outboard DSP because your computer is more than powerful enough to run all the plug-ins you want. There's no need for special mixes for overdubbing - you can do your overdubs in mix mode through the DAW, saving time and effort - and with a more enveloping sound to play to. And at the same time, you'll enjoy the best possible performance environment with 'comfort reverb' on their vocals and other effects.

Focusrite has been making digital audio converters almost as long as we've been making mic preamps - since the launch of our Blue Range mastering converters in the mid-90s. The converters in the next-generation Scarlett range operate up to 192 kHz sampling at 24-bit - making it possible to use the full range of standard sample rates from 44.1/48 (CD/DVD) to high-resolution audio at 88.4 and 96 kHz and beyond. With increased interest in quality hi-res downloads and streaming, mixing your tracks to 24-bit at 88.4 or 96kHz sampling makes sense: the extra load is well within the capabilities of most music computers. And if you want to go all the way up to 192kHz, the facility is there.

Unrivalled Sound Quality

We’ve been perfecting audio conversion for over 20 years. Our class-leading digital conversion operates at up to 24-bit and up to 192kHz, so you capture every nuance of every performance in crystal clear audio without any unwanted noise or hum, even when you’re playing softly.

Designed For Guitarists

We’ve redesigned Scarlett 18i8's instrument inputs and given them plenty of extra headroom, so you can handle extreme levels without any unwanted clipping or distortion. If you’re recording extra loud instruments, you can also engage the 10dB pad in Focusrite Control software.

New instrument input can handle the hottest pickup

Many Scarlett users are musicians, and in designing the new generation of Scarlett interfaces we paid special attention to the instrument input. This has its own unbalanced path, which maximises the headroom. In addition, the supply voltages have been increased to the instrument input circuitry, and the high impedance input buffer (a high input impedance preserves the top end of the sound of a guitar) has been reconfigured. Combined, these factors have added a significant additional 8dB of headroom to the instrument input. At the same time, the widely-praised clean, natural sound of the Scarlett mic preamp is unchanged.

Also redesigned are the input level controls, which feature a unique, specially-designed potentiometer whose value changes in a much smoother way than most level controls you'll have tried. Instead of the signal increasing slowly as you turn the knob up and then suddenly getting much louder much more quickly as you reach the end of the travel, the new Scarlett level control provides smoothly controlled, evenly distributed gain that makes it easier to set input levels with greater accuracy.

Protecting your investment

We expect the Scarlett range to get some rough treatment both on the road and in the studio, and in addition to the robust metal enclosure we've taken steps to protect your Scarlett against electrical problems too. We've added surge protection circuits to both the inputs and outputs to help your Scarlett survive common mishaps - like plugging the outputs into a console input with 48v phantom power on it, or shorting the Scarlett mic input when phantom power is active. The new generation Scarlett is designed to survive these, and other challenges.

* Measured at 96kHz with 32 samples on Logic Pro X, running on a Mac Pro with OS 10.11. Exact value subject to DAW choice, settings and the host computer.

New Generation – Better In Every Way

The latest generation Scarlett 18i8 is packed full of upgrades. It operates at sample rates all the way up to 192kHz with new super-low latency* that lets you record and monitor with software effects in real time.

We completely redesigned the instrument inputs so they can handle even the hottest guitar pick-ups, and we’ve made it easier than ever to set your levels accurately. We’ve also built in new analogue protection circuitry across the inputs and the outputs, to guard your interface against unwanted power surges.

New Generation Technology

The new generation of Scarlett interfaces from Focusrite includes a host of technical innovations under the hood. An updated converter design provides sample rates up to 192kHz, 24-bit, for high-resolution audio. The instrument input has been thoroughly re-worked to give 8dB more headroom - suitable for the hottest pickup - while the acclaimed Scarlett mic pre remains unchanged. New protection circuitry on the inputs and outputs protects your investment against electrical challenges like phantom power accidentally being plugged into the outputs, or shorted inputs with phantom power. The gain controls have evenly distributed gain that makes it easier to set your input levels with greater accuracy. New, super-low latency lets you record and monitor with your favourite DAW plug-ins and virtual instruments with no need for outboard DSP.

Perfect Partner for Pro Tools

Avid's Pro Tools is the most popular Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) around, and Focusrite and Avid have collaborated for over 20 years, from the D2 and D3 plug-ins to the M-Box, Control|24 and beyond.

We want to make the experience of using Focusrite hardware and Pro Tools software together the best possible experience for all Focusrite owners. Avid recognisesFocusrite as an ideal companion to Pro Tools, and all Scarlett interfaces are thoroughly tested with the latest versions. Scarlett interfaces are also compatible with all other major DAWs, on Macintosh and Windows computers.

Intuitive Control Software

Scarlett 18i8 works with all major DAWs on Mac and PC, and comes with Focusrite Control: our brand new software mixer designed for easily configuring your monitoring and routing setups. Simple and intuitive to use, it gives you a traditional mixer workflow, separate headphone mixes and immediate access to internal hardware functions.

The Addictive Keys virtual instrument from XLN Audio is included for free with all Focusrite audio interfaces. One full licence per account is available for existing customers as well as new customers.

Focusrite and Addictive Keys

The Addictive Keys virtual instrument from XLN Audio is included for free with all Focusrite Scarlett, Clarett, Red and Saffire audio interfaces, and is available for existing customers as well as new customers. One full license per account enables you to choose one world-class Addictive Keys instrument, such as Modern Upright, Studio Grand, Electric Grand or Mark One.

To take advantage of this piano plug-in, simply register an audio interface. Follow the instructions at the top of your account page to enable you to access this great virtual instrument from your home recording studio set-up.

Addictive Keys is a powerful tool for musicians, producers and songwriters. With its unique approach to sound creation, smart workflow, fast loading times and high-quality presets, Addictive Keys is perfect for any production style or music genre.

Addictive Keys supports all of the major plug-in formats: VST, AU plug-ins and AAX (32 and 64-bit), so it can be used within most music applications including Pro Tools, SONAR, Cubase, Logic, Live and many others. Addictive Keys can also work as a standalone instrument, without requiring host music software. This makes it easy to load an instrument, find an inspiring preset, and start playing, without having to launch any other music software.

XLN Audio is a Swedish software company that makes award-winning virtual instruments, plug-ins and sound content for music makers. Since its inception in 2005, the company has gained worldwide acclaim by focusing on making products that are inspiring, powerful and easy to use. Their most popular products include the Addictive Drums and Addictive Keys virtual instruments, both of which have become go-to products for today's biggest producers and performing artists.

Start Recording Today

Compose, record, edit, save and export your music straight away, with time-unlimited versions of industry-standard music software: Ableton Live Lite and Pro Tools | First Focusrite Creative Pack, which features 12 additional plug-ins including the Eleven Lite for real life guitar amp emulations and Black Op for iconic distortions and overdrives.

You also get Softube's Time and Tone bundle, the Focusrite Red Plug-In Suite, 2GB of Loopmasters samples and more.

Scarlett 18i8 works flawlessly with all major DAWs on Mac and PC.

Which DAW is for you?

All audio interfaces in the Scarlett 2nd Gen range ship with a comprehensive suite of software applications and plugins, so you can start making music right out of the box.

Alongside the Focusrite Red Plug-in Suite and Softube Time and Tone Bundle, the headline acts are two extraordinarily powerful and creative desktop audio workstations (DAWs – virtual recording and production studios, essentially): Avid Pro Tools | First and Ableton Live 9 Lite.

Both include everything you need to produce complete tracks from start to finish – multitrack audio and MIDI recording, playback and editing; virtual instruments and effects; arrangement and mixing tools; and much more – but each has its own particular workflow and feature set, so which is right for you?

Pro Tools | First

The industry standard professional DAW, found in studios around the world, Avid Pro Tools 12 is a recording and mixing powerhouse. The entry level Pro Tools | First takes many of its features and simplifies the setup process to get the novice up and running quickly.

If you’re an instrumental musician, singer-songwriter or band looking to capture everything from rough ideas to final sessions, perhaps integrating external effects hardware and mixing tools, Pro Tools | First is the ideal production platform.

Ableton Live Lite

The first-call DAW for electronic music and live performance, Ableton Live is renowned for its innovative, non-linear approach to composition and arrangement. The Session View lets you literally ‘play’ your project and create arrangements on the fly, before locking down a finished structure and mix in the Arrangement View.

For producers of dance and electronic music, laptop DJs and live performers, Live 9 Lite is the software studio of choice.

Rewire

With Pro Tools | First and Live 9 Lite each specialising in its own style of music production – and, of course, both bundled with your Scarlett 2nd Gen audio interface – wouldn’t it be great if you could somehow merge the two into a sort of hybrid super-DAW? Thanks to Propellerhead Software’s ReWire technology, you can…

Easily Find the Perfect Level

Clipped signals ruin good takes. Make sure you’re always recording at a good level, by keeping an eye on our signature gain halos. They glow a reassuring shade of green when you’re recording at the perfect level, and turn red to indicate overload.

Plug-In Collective

The world is full of innovative software companies, creating a wealth of powerful plug-ins. With such variety, you’ll want to find exactly the right plug-ins for you, and use them in real time, thanks to Scarlett 2nd gen’s super-low latency environment. To help you on this mission, we’ve formed the ‘Plug-in Collective’, working with the very best to bring you exclusive plug-in offers and content every month.

But which plug-ins?

There’s no shortage of great plug-ins today, with new and exciting instruments and effects coming out all the time. At Focusrite, we believe in freedom - the freedom to choose the plug-ins that get you your sound, exactly the way you want it. So, the more the better in our opinion, as one persons trash is another persons treasure!

To help you in the quest for your signature sound, we’re working with some of the most innovative and prestigious plug-in companies to bring you exclusive offers, tutorial content and more.

Audio Technica AT2020 Mic

Audio-Technica’s stringent quality and consistency standards set the AT2020 apart from other mics in its class. Its low-mass diaphragm is custom-engineered for extended frequency response and superior transient response. With rugged construction for durable performance, the microphone offers a wide dynamic range and handles high SPLs with ease.

Strukture SMC20 20' XLR Mic Cable

20' XLR Mic Cable - XLR male to XLR female

Samson MK10 Boom Mic Stand

The MK10 Microphone Boom Stand combines the crucial elements of lightweight durability with an attractive and functional design. It comes a very small package that folds up easily for transport anywhere you need it.

Comprehensive bundle of included software

XLN Addictive Keys

Pro Tools | First Creative Pack

Ableton Live Lite

Softube Time & Tone

Red 2 & 3 Plug-in Suite

Focusrite Control

Focusrite iOS Control

Plug-in Collective

Focusrite Drum Loops

Loopmasters Samples

Focusrite and Addictive Keys

The Addictive Keys virtual instrument from XLN Audio is included for free with all Focusrite Scarlett, Clarett, Red and Saffire audio interfaces, and is available for existing customers as well as new customers. One full license per account enables you to choose one world-class Addictive Keys instrument, such as Modern Upright, Studio Grand, Electric Grand or Mark One. Addictive Keys is a powerful tool for musicians, producers and songwriters. With its unique approach to sound creation, smart workflow, fast loading times and high-quality presets, Addictive Keys is perfect for any production style or music genre.